Boatyard man still 'critical'

Explosion site: Princess Yachts in Plympton

A man from Cornwall is still in a critical condition in hospital after suffering more than 80% burns in an explosion at a Plymouth boatyard.

The accident happened just after 1520 GMT on Monday at Princess Yachts in Coypool Road in Plympton.

The 20-year-old man, from Saltash in Cornwall, was cleaning a tank used to store chemicals, which he had been lowered in to, when it blew up.

An investigation into the incident by health and safety officials is under way.

Winched out

The man was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol for specialist treatment at the hospital's burns unit after being taken to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

The explosion caused damage to the ceiling of the industrial unit in which the tank was kept.

The man was winched out and given first aid by members of Devon Fire and Rescue Service and a paramedic fast-response team.

Members of the man's family have travelled to the hospital to be with him.